Season Has Jackson Smarting

The Laker season has been something different for everybody.

Phil Jackson pushed back in his chair Tuesday afternoon and allowed the season to run through his mind. It is his job, as coach, to bring order to it, he knows.

He smiled.

“We’re trying to keep their spirits up when we don’t have good games and we don’t play competitively, which has happened more than I’d like it to happen,” he said. “It’s been maybe five times in the season, when we haven’t been able to meet the energy level of a game. Those are dispiriting. We’ve had to understand a little about the level we can play. And we’ve got to be a little smarter with how we play in a basketball game. That’s disappointing.”

He paused.

“For me,” he said, “it’s a very interesting season. Very interesting.”

It has not been boring. It has not been seamless.

“The reality is, you want to keep the team confident and relaxed, and yet working and remembering what the long run is, what you’re after in the long run in a season like this,” Jackson said before the 91-80 loss to the SuperSonics. “We haven’t gotten momentum yet. We’d like to find some. If that doesn’t happen, we’re going to have to bust our way through the season. We still want to arrive at the end knowing we’re in defense of our title and that’s what’s important.”

In training camp, Jackson set 60 wins as his goal. That would require the Lakers to go 34-8 over the rest of the season, which would be more realistic if they weren’t on a pace to go 53-29.

“To me, that was giving credence to where we were, as a slower-starting team, and where this conference is, which is a lot better,” Jackson said. “And when you’re a champion you’ve got a lot more work that you have to do, because a lot of games, you’re playing the fans, you’re playing players and even the referees at times.”

*

Horace Grant sat out his second consecutive game because of back soreness.

While no longer suffering from the spasms that gripped him Sunday, when he was unable to travel to Staples Center, the stiffness remained Tuesday night, even after a day of treatment.

Rookie Devean George started in Grant’s place.

Grant told trainers he was improved from Monday but continued to feel a pinch in his lower back. He could undergo an MRI or X-ray today to determine the cause of the pain.

*

Grant’s injury and Jackson’s desire to rest his veterans have led to more playing time for rookie Mark Madsen. A hit among fans and teammates, Madsen’s bullish game remains an acquired taste for referees.

“They didn’t let him play on Sunday [against Miami],” Jackson said. “Silly whistles. Bad foul calls. Notoriety chopped him right up.

“As soon as everybody yelled, ‘Mad Dog!’ [referee] Steve Javie went, ‘Oh yeah, we’ll get rid of this guy quickly.’ ”

The Staples Center reception for Madsen now includes the sound of dogs barking, a sure sign a finesse player is checking in.